HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Blueberries Inhibit Fat Cells

Study Abstract

From press releases:

Shiwani Moghe, a researcher from Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, looked at whether blueberries and their high polyphenol content could play a role in fighting obesity. In a study of tissue cultures taken from mice, Moghe examined what effect the polyphenols in the berries have in fighting the development of fats cells, and what she found was the highest dose of polyphenols cut the number of fat cells by 73 percent, while the smallest dose showed a 27 percent decrease. "We still need to test this dose in humans, to make sure there are no adverse effects, and to see if the doses are as effective. This is a burgeoning area of research.

Researchers found the fruit can break down existing fat cells and prevent new ones from forming, making them a potentially powerful weapon in the fight against rising obesity.

Blueberries, which have already been lauded as a superfood for their ability to help prevent heart disease and Type-2 diabetes, contain high levels of polyphenols – groups of chemicals with potential health benefits.

Tests revealed polyphenols can cut the number of fat cells in the body by 73 per cent with a large dose and 27 per cent with the smallest dose, the American Society for Nutrition’s Experimental Biology 2011 meeting heard.

Using tissue taken from mice, scientists looked at what effect the polyphenols in blueberries might have in fighting the development of fat cellsand inducing lipolysis, the break down fats within the body.

Results, presented at the Experimental Biology 2011 meeting for the American Society for Nutrition, showed that the highest dose of blueberry polyphenols caused the lipids in the mouse tissue to decrease by almost three quarters at 73 per cent, with even the lowest dose cutting the amount of lipids in the tissue by over a quarter at 27 per cent.

Study author Shiwani Moghe, a graduate student from Texas Woman’s University, claimed the findings showed ‘promise’.

She said: ‘We still need to test this dose in humans, to make sure there are no adverse effects and to see if the doses are effective.

‘The promise is there for blueberries to help reduce fat tissue from forming in the body.’

Study Information

Shiwani Moghe
Blueberries Inhibit Fat Cells
Experimental Biology 2011 meeting for the American Society for Nutrition.
2011 April
Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas.